Coaster



L. C. DORE Dec. 20, 1955 COASTER Filed May 11. 1955 Jiy. 2.

INVENTOR. Lew/s 6. Dore.

A 7'7'ORNEV5.

United States Patent COASTER Lewis C. Dore, Kansas City, Mo. Application May 11, 1955, Serial No. 507,559

Claims. (Cl. 215-1005) This invention relates to coasters, and more particularly to a coaster of flexible resilient material which will automatically effect a grip with a drinking glass, bottle or other like container, and provide a trap for catching condensation which forms on such articles and drains down its sides, whereby the moisture is prevented from reaching a table top or other surface on which the article is positioned.

The objects of the present invention are to provide a coaster of separable members formed of soft, resilient rubber or flexible plastics whereby the parts may be easily separated for cleaning; to provide such a coaster structure with inwardly directed lips or protuberances which will be deflected downwardly upon insertion of a drinking glass to form gripping means holding the coaster to the glass; to provide such a coaster structure with spaced walls which cooperate to contain and-hold water or moisture that has drained into the coaster and prevent same from spilling from the coaster; and to provide a coaster of simple con struction that is very easy to apply to a glass and that is neat in appearance and efficient in operation.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the present invention, 1 have provided improved details of structure, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a disassembled perspective view of the parts of the coaster.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view through the coaster with a drinking glass therein taken on the line 22, Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 3 3, Fig. 2.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

1 designates a coaster embodying the features of the present invention and generally consisting of a cup-like body 2 and a cap member 3, assembled together in separable relation.

The cup-like body 2 is preferably formed of suitable material such as flexible plastic, soft rubber or the like, and comprises, a preferably plain, cylindrical side wall 4, a bottom wall 5 on the lower end of the side wall and a bead or rolled edge of increased thickness 6 on the upper end of the side wall 4. The bottom wall 5 preferably has depending ribs 7 thereon for engaging a table top or other surface and maintaining the bottom wall 5 slightly spaced thereabove. A plurality of spaced radial ribs 8 extend upwardly from the bottom wall 5 and are adapted to be engaged with the bottom 9 of a drinking glass 10 or the like, said ribs 8 spacing the bottom 9 of the glass from the bottom wall 5. A plurality of spaced lugs or projections 11 are arranged around the interior of the cylindrical side wall 4 and extend inwardly therefrom for engaging a portion of the cap member 3 as later described.

The cap member -3 is preferably formed of flexible plastic, soft rubber or the like, and has a top wall 12 with the outer edge thereof turned downwardly and inwardly to form a hook-shaped rim with an annular inwardly opening groove 13 adapted to resiliently and removably embrace and grip the bead or rolled edge 6 on the cup-shaped body. The top wall 12 has a central opening 14 of suitable shape to provide inwardly disrected lips or protuberances 15 separated by channel openings 16 and the alternate arrangement of the lips and channels accentuates the flexibility of the lips whereby said lips will be deflected downwardly upon insertion of a glass 10 and form gripping means holding the coaster to the glass.

The cap member 3 also has a depending skirt in the form of a cylindrical wall 17 which, when the cap member and cup-like body member are assembled, is intermediate the glass 10 and the cylindrical side wall 4 of the body memher. It is preferable that the skirt wall 17 be integral with the top wall 12. and extend downwardly therefrom in spaced relation to the side wall 4 as illustrated in Fig. 3, said skirt extending below the lugs 11 and in engagement therewith whereby the lugs maintain the skirt in spaced relation to the wall 4.

When the cap member'3 and cup-like body member 2 are assembled and a drinking glass or the like 10 positioned in the coaster in the manner shown in Fig. 2, condensation forming on and draining down the side walls of the glass will fiow through the channels 16 into the interior of the cup-like body 2. The gripping action of the lips on the side walls of the glass is such as to hold the coaster to the glass and the glass can be lifted and the coaster will still adhere thereto. The gripping action is such that it requires a positive act to separate the coaster from the glass, and when so separated the lips 15 will assume their normal horizontal position. When the glass and coaster are lifted and tilted, any moisture in the cup-like body will flow to the lower side thereof and be between the wall 4 and skirt 17, and there is ample capacity therebetween so that it would be very unusual for enough moisture to collect inthe coaster whereby any could spill from the coaster.

When it is desired to clean the coaster, the side walls of the cup-like body 2 are pressed inwardly and the hookshaped rim of the cap member 3 removed from the bead 6. Then complete access may be had to all parts of both the cap member and the cup-like body for thorough cleaning. After cleaning, the cap member 3 is again applied to the cup-like body 2 by placing the hook-shaped rim over the head 6 whereby said head is in the groove 13 and the resiliency of the cap and body member are such that the parts are retained in their assembled condition until a positive act is made to separate same. The coaster is then ready for use again, and upon insertion of a drinking glass into the coaster, the lips 15 are deflected downwardly and automatically effect a grip on the side of the drinking glass 10.

It is believed obvious I have provided an improved coaster that is economical to manufacture, eflicient in operation and is easily cleaned and maintained in a sanitary condition.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A coaster for a drinking glass and the like comprising, a cup-like body member having a bottom wall and a substantially cylindrical side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall, said side wall terminating in an edge defining an open upper end of the cup-like body member, a cap member having a top wall with a central opening therein, means on the cap member removably engaging the upper edge of the cylindrical side wall of the body member for retaining the cap member thereon, flexible resilient means on the top wall for engaging and gripping a drinking glass upon insertion thereof through the open top wall to retain the coaster thereon, and a cylindrical wall on the top wall and depending therefrom in spaced relation to the side wall of the cup-like body member to cooperate with the side walls of the body member in forming a liquid-retaining chamber when the coaster is positioned in degrees of inversion.

2. A coaster for a drinking glass and the like comprising, a cup-like body member of flexible resilient material and having a bottom wall and a substantially cylindrical side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall, said side wall terminating in an edge of increased thickness defining an'open upper end of the cup-like body member, a cap member of flexible resilient material and having a top wall with a central opening therein, means on the cap member resiliently and removably engaging and embracing the upper edge of the cylindrical side wall of the body member for retaining the cap member thereon, means on the top wall for engaging and gripping a drinking glass upon insertion thereof through the open top wall and to retain the coaster thereon, a cylindrical wall integral with the top wall and forming a skirt depending therefrom in spaced relation to the side wall of the cup-like body member to cooperate with the side walls of the body member in forming a liquid-retaining chamber when the coaster is positioned in degrees of inversion, and a plurality of spaced lugs between the side walls of the body member and the skirt on the cap to maintain said skirt spaced from the side walls of the body member.

3. In a coaster for a drinking glass and the like comprising, a cup-like body member of flexible resilient material and having a bottom wall and a substantially cylindrical side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall, said side wall terminating in an edge of increased thickness defining an open upper end of the cup-like body member, a cap member of flexible resilient material and having a top wall with a peripheral rim shaped to resiliently and removably engage and embrace the upper edge of the cylindrical side wall of the body member, said top wall having a cylindrical opening of a shape to form spaced lips which are bent downwardly upon the insertion of a drinking glass through the open top wall and providing gripping action on the drinking glass to retain the coaster thereon, a cylindrical wall integral with the top wall and forming a skirt depending therefrom in spaced relation to the side wall of the cup-like body member and extending therein sufiiciently to cooperate with the side walls of the body member in forming a liquid-retaining chamber when the coaster is positioned in degrees of inversion, and a plurality of spaced lugs extending inwardly from the side walls of the body member and engaging the skirt on the cap to maintain said skirt spaced from the side walls of the body member.

4. A holder for a drinking glass comprising, a cup-like body member of flexible resilient material and having a bottom wall and a substantially cylindrical side wall extending upwardly from the bottom Wall, said side wall terminating in a bead-like edge of increased thickness defining the open upper end of the body member, spaced upwardly extending ribs on the bottom wall adapted to be engaged by the bottom of a drinking glass, a cap of flexible resilient material and having a top wall with a downwardly and inwardly turned edge at the periphery thereof for resiliently and removably embracing the upper edge of the cylindrical side wall of the body member, said top wall having a central opening of a shape to form spaced lips of a thickness to promote flexibility of the lips whereby said lips are bent downwardly upon insertion of a drinking glass through the open top wall and result in a gripping action on the drinking glass to retain the holder thereon, said central opening in the top wall forming channels between the lips to define passages for drainage of condensation on the drinking glass into the body member, a cylindrical wall on the top wall and forming a skirt depending therefrom at a position intermediate the channels and side wall of the body member and extending a substantial distance into the cup-like body member to cooperate with the side wall in forming a liquid retaining chamber when the holder is positioned in degrees of inversion, and spaced lugs between the side wall of the body member and the skirt tomaintain same spaced from said side wall.

5. A holder for a drinking glass comprising, a cup-like body member of flexible resilient material and having a bottom wall and a substantially cylindrical side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall, said side wall terminating in a bead-like edge of increased thickness defining the open upper end of the body member, spaced upwardly extending ribs on the bottom wall adapted to be engaged by the bottom of a drinking glass, spaced depending ribs on the bottom wall adapted to rest on a table top and support the bottom wall in spaced relation thereto, a cap of flexible resilient material and having a top wall with a downwardly and inwardly turned edge at the periphery thereof for resiliently and removably engaging and embracing the upper edge of the cylindrical side wall of the body member, said top wall having a central opening of a shape to form spaced lips of a thickness to promote flexibility of the lips whereby said lips are bent downwardly upon insertion of a drinking glass through the open top wall and result in a gripping action on the drinking glass to retain the holder thereon, said central opening in the top wall forming channels between the lips to define passages for drainage of condensation on the drinking glass into the body member, a cylindrical wall integral with the top wall and forming a skirt depending therefrom at a position intermediate the channels and side wall of the body member and extending a substantial distance into the cup-like body member to cooperate with the side wall in forming a liquid retaining chamber when the holder is positioned in degrees of inversion, and spaced lugs on the side wall of the body member and extending inwardly therefrom and engaging the skirt to maintain same spaced from said side wall.

No references cited. 

